“This is the ultimate opportunity to have face-to-face networking,” he said. “And it’s not just networking, it’s networking with the political community, the business community, the labor community, the not-for-profit community, the educational community … really, everyone. They’re all here.”

In record numbers.

The event drew more than 1,000 participants, more than 700 of whom took the trip down on an Amtrak train Thursday.

Those here in Washington, D.C., stressed it was not just the quantity of people, but the quality.

In addition to all of the business leaders, more than 50 legislators — including Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge) — were on the train. A record number.

Murphy’s late-night speaking tour was the first for a sitting governor that longtime riders could remember.

After years of Gov. Chris Christie forbidding his staff to mingle, this was an all-star meet-and-greet.

File photoTom Bracken of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

Bracken obviously was thrilled. He said this type of access is the key to doing business in New Jersey — often called the biggest small state and the smallest big state in the country.

“We are the most densely populated state and the most densely populated business state, but a small state in terms of geography,” Bracken said. “More than any state I know of, face-to-face networking is the way to do business and to get things done.

“Every sector of the state is here, and they are captive for 36 hours. It’s the ultimate way to network. And in the state like this, where networking is so important, it’s a perfect fit.”

William Murray, executive vice president/national director, public affairs at MWWPR, said his group tells all its clients that the train trip is a must.

It’s not hard to rationalize, he said.

“This is not only a high-profile event, it’s a high-profile opportunity to put a face on your brand or your topic or your issue.

“It’s more than just a marketing opportunity. You have Assembly members and lobbyists on the train, but you also have public relations and marketing people and sales people. It’s critical that you’re interacting with them. I don’t know how you could miss it.”